The Siebrasse family moved into their beautiful new home in Maple Grove in 2006. This five-bedroom craftsman on a corner lot fit the ticket for this family of six even though the basement was still a concrete shell of unfinished space. But by 2012, it became clear to the Siebrasses that they could use some additional living space. They were hoping for an extra bedroom, a place for the kids to hang out and a creative space for mom Lynette, a scrap booker, card maker, crafter and demonstrator for Stampin’ Up. The resulting lower level renovation hits all the right notes in a stylish manner that matches the rest of the house.
The Siebrasses chose Lifestyle Basements for their project. “Several of our neighbors had good experience with Lifestyle Basements,” Lynette Siebrasse says “And we are very pleased with our choice.”
The first thoughtful design elements of the Siebrasse’s new basement are immediately evident. The descending staircase that would have otherwise led directly to the basement’s new bathroom was divided to guide guests off to the right or left. On the right is a wide-open gathering space with high ceilings and large lookout windows. A stone fireplace creates a sense of coziness, and a convenient wet bar is built behind the stairway. “We are not really bar people,” Siebrasse says. So the custom matched maple cabinets of the new wet bar are mostly used to store videos and board games. There is also a sink built into the granite countertop and plenty of room for a mini-fridge and a microwave.
Beyond the gathering space are large sliding pocket doors that lead to a theater room with a 110-inch screen, a projection system, an elevated seating area and wall sconce lighting. “We like how we can leave the doors pushed all the way back to create one large room,” says Siebrasse. “It’s also nice to be able to peek in on what the teens are watching without being too intrusive.”
Trek back to the bottom of the staircase and you’ll see design details like built-in arched displays and pillars that match those on the main level incorporated into the lower level aesthetic. But you’ll hardly notice the subtle placement of the extra bedroom and bathroom, because your eyes are instead drawn to the glassed French door entry to Siebrasse’s craft room on the other side of the stairs.
The approximately 9 x 18 foot custom craft room is situated on a heated cork floor. Inside, a wrap-around desk area is large enough to spread out multiple craft projects at once. Open shelves are mounted above with under-cabinet lighting installed to make even the most tedious tasks easy to see. Beneath the desk area are a few file drawers to keep things organized along with versatile rolling storage compartments that she had used previously.
Behind the desk area is a counter space where crafters can stand to work or pull up a rolling stool and sip a cup of coffee from the nearby Keurig coffee machine. The entire craft room was built with comfort and flexibility in mind. “This is my craft room,” Siebrasse says, pointing out the vintage-themed decorations. “But it could quite easily be made into a home office or support some other type of in-home business.” Siebrasse has decorated her happy crafter space with an eye for whimsy and efficiency without pigeon holing the area to accommodate only one type of productivity.
Now Siebrasse can host crafting classes right in her home or simply sneak away to create a few of her custom cards. Every mom can use a place to herself. The addition of a craft room in this particular basement remodel is great because “it allows for a creative space, supporting a home business
while also enhancing the home,” she says.
